The Clippers are playing the best basketball of their season, and they’ll return an important starter back to the lineup. Ivica Zubac was upgraded on the Clippers injury report as he is not listed ahead of the 10:30 p.m. Saturday game against the Celtics in Los Angeles.
Zubac hasn’t played in a game since Dec. 20 due to a left ankle sprain. Zubac is averaging 15.6 points and 11.1 rebounds in 28 games this season, all starts. Los Angeles is on a six-game winning streak, climbing out of the West cellar with a 12-21 record.
Kawhi Leonard has been on fire over the winning streak, including scoring 55 points in a win over the Pistons recently. He also scored 45 points in a victory against the Jazz last time out. Leonard has looked like his All-Star self this season, averaging 28.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 23 games.
The Clippers were stuck in the mud as they had a 6-21 record to open the season. But this recent hot stretch is more like what was expected of them. It’ll be a tough test for the Celtics as they wrap up their five-game road trip.
The Celtics will also be at full strength as they only have Jayson Tatum (Achilles) listed as out on their injury report. The C’s are 3-1 on their road trip, fresh off a win over the Kings on Thursday in Sacramento. Jaylen Brown is having a career-best season, putting up averages of 29.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.